NORTH HAVEN, Conn. -- An investigation into the practice of maintaining
secret files in the state's courts won The Hartford Courant one of the top
prizes in the Society of Professional Journalists' annual Excellence in
Journalism Awards on Thursday.

The group's annual First Amendment recognized the Courant for helping to
end the practice of making more files secret, SPJ said. "This is a
perfect example of how the media can bring about better public
policy," judges said in making the award.

The Courant also was presented the Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
for its investigation into Gov. John G. Rowland that has led to state and
federal investigations and a legislative impeachment inquiry.

"This is more than just a public service; it is clearly a wonderful
example of the watchdog function of the press," wrote the judges.

The Theodore Driscoll Investigative Award went to Louis Porter and Peter
Davenport of the Stamford Advocate for their series on the cleanliness of
the water in Long Island Sound.

"They did a thorough job of explaining the many issues involved with
the waterway," said the judges. "The series looks at issues we
would not have considered. "

The awards were judged by journalists from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida,
New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota.

Other winners included:

REGIONAL NON-DAILY: HEADLINES

First PlaceAndy Thibault, Connecticut Law Tribune

My
Magic Spring Water from Natural Sources
King Pellegriono's Secret Government
Our Condos, Our Town

The
Judges said: The Connecticut Law Tribune chooses the words in these
headlines carefully. They tell the reader something -- and they're
intriguing.